Topics:
• Solenoids, valves and cylinders • Hydraulics and pneumatics • Other actuators
INTRODUCTION
Actuators Drive motions in mechanical systems. Most often this is by converting electrical energy into some form of mechanical motion.
1.SOLENOIDS
Solenoids are the most common actuator components. The basic principle of operation is there is a moving ferrous core (a piston) that will move inside wire coil as shown in Figure. Normally the piston is held outside the coil by a spring. When a voltage is applied to the coil and current flows, the coil builds up a magnetic field that attracts the piston and pulls it into the center of the coil. The piston can be used to supply a linear force. Well known applications of these include pneumatic values and car door openers.
As mentioned before, inductive devices can create voltage spikes and may need snubbers, although most industrial applications have low enough voltage and current ratings they can be connected directly to the PLC outputs. Most industrial solenoids will be powered by 24Vdc and draw a few hundred mA.
2.VALVES
The flow of fluids and air can be controlled with solenoid controlled valves. An example of a solenoid controlled valve is shown in Figure. The solenoid is mounted on the side. When actuated it will drive the central spool left. The top of the valve body has two ports that will be connected to a device such as a hydraulic cylinder. The bottom of the valve body has a single pressure line in the center with two exhausts to the side. In the top drawing the power flows in through the center to the right hand cylinder port. The left hand cylinder port is allowed to exit through an exhaust port. In the bottom drawing the solenoid is in a new position and the pressure is now applied to the left hand port on the top, and the right hand port can exhaust. The symbols to the left of the figure show the schematic equivalent of the actual valve positions. Valves are also available that allow the valves to be blocked when unused.
Valve types are listed below. In the standard terminology, the ’n-way’ designates the number of connections for inlets and outlets. In some cases there are redundant ports for exhausts. The normally open/closed designation indicates the valve condition when power is off. All of the valves listed are two position valve, but three position valves are also available
The arrows show the flow paths in different positions. The small triangles indicate an exhaust port.
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2-way normally closed - these have one inlet, and one outlet. When unenergized, the valve is closed. When energized, the valve will open, allowing flow. These are used to permit flows.
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2-way normally open - these have one inlet, and one outlet. When unenergized, the valve is open, allowing flow. When energized, the valve will close. These are used to stop flows. When system power is off, flow will be allowed.
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3-way normally closed - these have inlet, outlet, and exhaust ports. When unenergized, the outlet port is connected to the exhaust port. When energized, the inlet is connected to the outlet port. These are used for single acting cylinders.
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3-way normally open - these have inlet, outlet and exhaust ports. When unenergized, the inlet is connected to the outlet. Energizing the valve connects the outlet to the exhaust. These are used for single acting cylinders
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3-way universal - these have three ports. One of the ports acts as an inlet or outlet, and is connected to one of the other two, when energized/unenergized. These can be used to divert flows, or select alternating sources.
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4-way - These valves have four ports, two inlets and two outlets. Energizing the valve causes connection between the inlets and outlets to be reversed. These are used for double acting cylinders.
3. CYLINDERS
A cylinder uses pressurized fluid or air to create a linear force/motion as shown in Figure . In the figure a fluid is pumped into one side of the cylinder under pressure, causing that side of the cylinder to expand, and advancing the piston. The fluid on the other side of the piston must be allowed to escape freely - if the incompressible fluid was trapped the cylinder could not advance. The force the cylinder can exert is proportional to the cross sectional area of the cylinder.
Single acting cylinders apply force when extending and typically use a spring to retract the cylinder. Double acting cylinders apply force in both direction.
Magnetic cylinders are often used that have a magnet on the piston head. When it moves to the limits of motion, reed switches will detect it.
4.HYDRAULICS
Hydraulics use incompressible fluids to supply very large forces at slower speeds and limited ranges of motion. If the fluid flow rate is kept low enough, many of the effects predicted by Bernoulli’s equation can be avoided. The system uses hydraulic fluid (normally an oil) pressurized by a pump and passed through hoses and valves to drive cylinders. At the heart of the system is a pump that will give pressures up to hundreds or thousands of psi. These are delivered to a cylinder that Hydraulic systems normally contain the following components;
- Hydraulic Fluid
- An Oil Reservoir
- A Pump to Move Oil, and Apply Pressure
- Pressure Lines
- Control Valves - to regulate fluid flow
- Piston and Cylinder - to actuate external mechanismsconverts it to a linear force and displacement.
The hydraulic fluid is often a noncorrosive oil chosen so that it lubricates the components. This is normally stored in a reservoir as shown in Figure . Fluid is drawn from the reservoir to a pump where it is pressurized. This is normally a geared pump so that it may deliver fluid at a high pressure at a constant flow rate. A flow regulator is normally placed at the high pressure outlet from the pump. If fluid is not flowing in other parts of the system this will allow fluid to recirculate back to the reservoir to reduce wear on the pump. The high pressure fluid is delivered to solenoid controlled vales that can switch fluid flow on or off. From the vales fluid will be delivered to the hydraulics at high pressure, or exhausted back to the reservoir
Hydraulic systems can be very effective for high power applications, but the use of fluids, and high pressures can make this method awkward, messy, and noisy for other applications.
5.PNEUMATICS
Pneumatic systems are very common, and have much in common with hydraulic systems with a few key differences. The reservoir is eliminated as there is no need to collect and store the air between uses in the system. Also because air is a gas it is compressible and regulators are not needed to recirculate flow. But, the compressibility also means that the systems are not as stiff or strong.
Pneumatic systems respond very quickly, and are commonly used for low force applications in many locations on the factory floor. Some basic characteristics of pneumatic systems are,
- stroke from a few millimeters to meters in length (longer strokes have more springiness
- the actuators will give a bit - they are springy
- pressures are typically up to 85psi above normal atmosphere
- the weight of cylinders can be quite low
- additional equipment is required for a pressurized air supply- linear and rotatory actuators are available.
- dampers can be used to cushion impact at ends of cylinder travel.
Some symbols for pneumatic systems are shown in Figure. The flow control valve is used to restrict the flow, typically to slow motions. The shuttle valve allows flow in one direction, but blocks it in the other. The receiver tank allows pressurised air to be accumulated. The dryer and filter help remove dust and moisture from the air, prolonging the life of the valves and cylinders.
6.MOTORS
Motors are common actuators, but for logical control applications their properties are not that important. Typically logical control of motors consists of switching low current motors directly with a PLC, or for more powerful motors using a relay or motor starter. Motors will be discussed in greater detail in the chapter on continuous actuators.
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